History

SSC was founded in 2012 by members of The Barrow Group Theatre Company and Shakespeare & Co.

The goal was to select a classical play based on the uniqueness of the space it would take place in. This led to a co-production with The Muse, a Brooklyn-based circus, and SSC’s first production William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The short run played to sold out houses, and was well-received due in part to the immersive nature of the show and the use of Muse acrobats throughout the production.

In the fall of 2013, the company produced Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona” in an underground cabaret bar. Each actor portrayed both their character and also a waiter in the bar.

Most notably, the 2014 season began with an East Coast Premiere and ended with an SSC Original Workshop. In the springtime, veteran TV/film actor Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas) collaborated with SSC in bringing Sorvino’s adaptation of “King Lear” to life as a Celebrity Staged Reading/Workshop at The Barrow Group. In the fall the company presented a workshop production of “What We Know,” a modern retelling of Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters.” The 9 cast members devised the piece as an ensemble over a 9-month period. Critics praised the production and the workshop is currently being reviewed for future development.

A co-production with film producer Adam Shulman topped off the 2015 season. SSC brought on Danya Taymor to direct Olivier Award winner Chukwudi Iwuji’s screenplay “Ira,” an in-depth look at the life of African-American classical actor Ira Aldridge. The star-studded cast played for one evening as a precursor to the development of the film version. The season ended with the company’s “Midsummer” being reimagined for the Secret Summer farm-to-bar festival, where it was performed for over 600 guests.

For the past 3 years SSC been transforming its mission and creative team, as well as garnering its Not-For-Profit 501(c)(3) status. The 2018-2019 season is a much-anticipated rebranding and re-launch of the company, its goals, and its exciting future on the New York theater scene.